Standard Operating Procedure

A few weeks ago I wrote about a type of phone call no one wants to receive - the middle of the night, unexpected kind.

Yesterday I got another phone call I could have lived without.

When my cell rang I thought for sure it was the Hoos, who hits the wrong button on his speed dial and pings my cell phone instead of my work phone about once a week. Imagine my surprise when I answered the call from "Bud, with the Department of Family Services in Norwalk."

Say WHAT?!

Apparently it is standard operating procedure for DFS to call a random group of parents when they receive a complaint about a day care center. "Your child is fine and safe, I want to assure you, it is nothing like that," Bud said, attempting to be reassuring.

He could not give me any information about the nature of the complaint, or the date of the complaint. All he wanted was to see if I had any issues or concerns. Considering the center has gone through significant changes in terms of staffing and administration in the last few months, the timing would have been important for me to know. In early February they changed the director, one of my very most favorite people in the world, which had a significantly positive impact. Haven't you noticed I have been complaining less?

I noted that they have also had some increased turnover, but I thought this was a targeted effort to improve the center and address parental concerns. So, basically, I told Bud that, no, I didn't have any current issues or concerns.

Of course, now I am really curious and I just called the CT Department of Public Health to find out the number and timing of any open complaints.

If I wasn't comfortable with the center I would be really worried, but I am trusting in the system. And in LP's mouth. Because if something wasn't right, I assure you she would tell me and anyone else in the vicinity about it.